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https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits
(Page is currently down but looking at the google cache...)
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Know your rightsAfter years of persistent complaints, the regulator finally stepped in and introduced new licence conditions setting out guidelines for fair and reasonable direct debits.
Under condition 27 of the Gas Supply Licence, suppliers must:
o Set fair direct debits. They must take reasonable steps to ensure customers' direct debit levels are based on the best available information, including the quantity of gas and electricity supplied.
o Give clear explanations. If you ask, your supplier must clearly explain why it's chosen that amount for its direct debit.
o Refund credits. If a credit has accumulated and a customer asks for it back, suppliers must refund it. If the supplier thinks the credit should be withheld, the reasons why must be clearly explained but customers can challenge this (see how to challenge it).
In theory, this should make it much easier for consumers to get fair direct debits set for them and reclaim refunds where due. As this is a licence condition, Ofgem can fine suppliers if they breach it. Many energy companies, including all of the big six, now offer automatic refunds when you're in credit (though the threshold for this happening varies). However in some cases it'll still be up to consumers to demand a refund.
Annoyingly, Ofgem doesn't set out what's "fair and reasonable". Instead, it leaves it up to the supplier to decide. If you disagree and the company won't sort out your complaint, you can go to the free, independent Energy Ombudsman to dispute it (see escalate your complaint).
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Greenbank-
Find a single OF(fill in the TLA blank) that has ever come down like a ton of bricks on any industry. Ever. They are toothless bodies keen to write massive amounts of guidance but not much else. Switching providers once I had the customer services guy ACTUALLY read 3 pages of complete legalese gibberish Ts&Cs, out loud, because of OFGEN regulations. No idea what the point of that was. It has been a few years since we have had to switch to times may have changed.
But it would be nice if the price increases would go back down, which they have not. Shame the regulatory bodies are pointless.
Aroogah
That was kind of my point. They have this technology that basically means they can stop guessing how much of their product you consume, so what do they do with it? Fuck knows because the obvious answer of "improve the customer experience" doesn't seem to have dawned on them yet.
Also - holding credit balances is not hard if the supplier only sends you quarterly statements and then caveats the balance such that you think you'll burn through it in the next quarter. It's all bollocks and they don't pay interest. It's free financing for them.
I should switch to @amey 's provider so I can just stick all my savings with them as massive over payments. 3% is not bad.